Ciliated cyst of the gallbladder: A new case and literature review

The ciliated cyst is a rare anomaly that develops from the anterior primitive intestine. Its localization is essentially supra diaphragmatic. It's localization in the gallbladder is very uncommon.

We report the first case in Tunisia of a ciliated cyst of the gallbladder in a 34 years old woman who was operated for a gallbladder stone and in whom the discovery of a cystic mass attached to the neck of the gallbladder was preoperatively. The pathologic study did conclude to a ciliated cyst.

The ciliated cyst of the gallbladder is a benign congenital lesion that develops from the anterior primitive intestine. The most frequent clinical symptom is abdominal pain and the median age is 45 years old. The most frequent location is the neck. This pathology affects women more than men. Abdominal ultrasound is not very specific exam and describes the ciliated cyst as a cystic lesion often anechogenic and sometimes hyperechogenic. The CT-scan as well as the abdominal MRI are very helpful of the diagnosis. The positif diagnosis of ciliated cyst is histological.

The recommended current treatment for this rare pathology is surgery and it consists of a celioscopic cholecystectomie. The place of conservatory treatment hasn't been established due to the rarity of described case and the possibility of degeneration.